Love is respect.
Last week marked National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. The week was started three years ago and takes place every February, in the first full week of the month. This year, it was Feb. 2-6. Two days after it ended, 20-year-old musician Chris Brown made headlines for getting into a physical altercation with 19-year-old singer Rihanna. It forced the issue into the spotlight.
The aim of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week is to get the word out about the warning signs of an abusive relationship.
One in four teens reports being a victim of physical, verbal, sexual or emotional abuse. And 80 percent of female victims reported that they continued to date their abuser. Would that number change if more victims knew the red flags?
- Jealousy
- Criticizes and puts you down
- Controls what you wear, where you go, what you do
- Calls, texts or instant messages you relentlessly
- Blame you for hurtful or mean things they say and do
- Threaten to hurt themselves or you if you try to leave
- Try to prevent you from seeing friends or family
MTV put together a video of the warning signs, as well:
Domestic violence (both in teen and adult relationships) is something that can be prevented if more people knew about it.
If someone you know is in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233), 800-787-3224 TYY, or visit ndvh.org.
